It’s a new year all dressed up with no place to go. Mask wearing does not prove conducive to fun and frivolity.
But soon — very soon — it will be taking us to new twists and turns on the political circuit.
The filing period for the 2022 election begins in a month. We also have a legislative session to deal with in 2022.
So we’ll be hustling to keep readers posted on legislative initiatives as well as how the political contests are shaping up.
We’re wishing a Happy New Year to all. Including Baby Dog, who will surely be dragged into at least one more public relations stunt before the year is done.
* * * * * *
Folks used to talk about the late Secretary of State/Treasurer A. James Manchin and his folksy, flamboyant way of grabbing attention.
His penchant for fanfare may be exceeded only by Governor Jim Justice. Can anyone imagine A. James taking his dog on tours of the state, buying votes at taxpayer expense? Justice is a true showman. He could have singlehandedly saved the circus.
* * * * * *
Former Delegate Larry Kump’s wife, Cheryl, is making an unusual request for her mother, who is in an Ohio nursing facility.
Cheryl, a positive people person, would just like to brighten her mom’s days a little.
Here’s the story in Cheryl’s own words:
“Cards and Flowers for my momma.
“Hi everyone. My name is Cheryl Kump and this is a different type of donations than others because I’m not asking for money but for everyone to possibly send a uplifting beautiful card to my mom who’s very ill and in a nursing home. And if financially you can maybe send her flowers. She helped me out of an awful marriage over 28 years ago including has helped so many when in need. She took care of many family members who had cancer and dying at home.
“Unfortunately we had no choice but to put her in a home because she needs 24 hour medical care which we are unable to do at home. I made her a beautiful hat and scarf for Christmas in her favorite color in the picture. She feels everyone forgot about her and I’m only asking for help from others to send her uplifting beautiful card’s and if you can afford it, some flowers. She is a remarkable women who’s been through so much and I know many are asking why should they send a stranger a card or flowers?
But to her it doesn’t matter if she knows you but her heart would be so full of happiness and joy knowing how much everyone cares and she hasn’t been forgotten. She is in : Twilight Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation, 196 W Main St, Norwalk Ohio 44857 her name is Louise Hess.
“Please don’t send any money but if you have time to send a card or flowers is something she will cherish.
“Thank you and God bless!”
* * * * * *
We’ve taken a look the last few weeks at what may be the most contested of the legislative seats in 2022. Some merit continued coverage so expect double duty soon when we cover the legislative session and the campaigns.
Looking at the pre-candidacy filings, one can envision the heated Raleigh County Republican primary race between incumbent State Senator Rolland Roberts and Delegate Mick Bates.
Earlier, Roberts had predicted he’d need to raise $100,000 to make it a race since his opponent would have $400,000 at his disposal.
Although Roberts is the only one who thinks Bates needs to raise $400,000 to beat him, the reports to date are not favorable.
The latest filing with the Secretary of State’s office shows Bates with roughly $75,000 and Roberts with $6,500.
In most cases, it would be reasonable to assume that an incumbent Senator eyeing a tough challenge would raise more money from his base of support.
Of course one has to have a support base to raise funds from it and it’s not quite clear who that is for Roberts.
Roberts is the champion of private schools, which is simply not a base that usually floods their candidates with money.
Roberts may have to make do with a bit less than $100,000.
Presumably, Roberts has the support of State GOP Chair Mark Harris, another far right advocate.
Bates switched parties a few months ago and has solid Republican support in Raleigh.
* * * * * *
The Kanawha County State Senate contest between incumbent Democrat Richard Lindsay and his GOP challenger Mark Higginbotham will be one to watch, as we’ve said before.
The pair bring polar opposites in most political philosophy and the redistricted district is drawn to favor the Republicans.
Lindsay was clearly a target of the Republican supermajority at redistricting time.
Higginbotham already has nearly $90,000 in the bank compared to the $20,000 Lindsay pot.
Ben Queen, a current Republican Delegate from Harrison County, has more than $20,000 for his announced State Senate bid.
* * * * * *
When government slides past the actual rules and decides to operate as it pleases, the law becomes generally useless.
The Cabell County magisterial district debacle is simply a symptom of the far deeper problem.
Often one section of the state Code contradicts another, adding to the confusion.
It’s interesting to travel the state and see how differently various counties operate under the same set of laws.
What’s a problem comes when those descrepancies undermine efficient government operations.
When citizen activists — liberals, Democrats, conservatives, Republicans — question public officials, they deserve answers.
When they get none, the die is cast for corruption.
Here’s a little known fact: the County Clerk is actually the Clerk of the County Commission. That’s his or her title.
In that capacity, the clerk is to keep all records of the county commission. But it often doesn’t work that way.
In some counties, the elected clerk doesn’t attend commission meetings nor do they send anyone to the meetings. How does the clerk keep records when he or she isn’t at meetings?
In those counties, the commissions have their own staff responsible for what the clerk should be doing.
I’ve seen counties where the clerk could literally beg to see a commission letter. When they were denied, it was a tragedy.
A citizen walking into a county commission or county clerk’s office should expect to be able to request employee salaries and just have them handed to them. In most cases, one can’t.
Some counties and municipalities will hold off inquiring reporters by saying personnel records are closed. They are not as far as salaries are concerned and you have a perfect right to see what your tax dollars are paying the Chief Tax Deputy or the custodian.
But the inherent secrecy of some state, county and municipalities underscores the underlying problem. The government is there to serve the public — not vice versa.
When I’ve asked any Cabell official who recommended Doug McKenzie to map the magisterial districts, I get a blank stare. I might as well ask them to vote for Bozo for President. They might actually do that.
I’ve already said I’ll accept Commissioner Kelli Sabonya’s no knowledge response because the other two keep her in the dark when possible. The others know who hired McKenzie and it was likely Smith.
There should be nothing wrong with the Clerk hiring the mapper. So why is it treated as a state secret?
What definitely should not have happened is for commissioners to be offered a choice of two maps without, apparently, any input from the three making the decisions.
The likelihood is that County Clerk Phyllis Smith brought McKenzie in based on previous work he did for the county.
Somehow, without violating the Open Meetings Act, Smith was apparently able to convey what the majority of the commission wanted to see in the new mapping (presumably making sure Delegate John Mandt Jr. lived in the same district with Commissioner Cartmill filled that bill). Perhaps osmosis? Maybe smoke signals?
The fact is there should have been open, public consultation on development of the new maps. Commissioners should have been involved at the beginning and made the final decision. Citizen input should have been encouraged from day one.
In this case, it appears the Clerk may have overstepped her bounds by hiring McKenzie. Smith and county administrators will argue she was completely within her authority as the county’s chief election official and McKenzie’s contract is under the threshold of $15,000 that require bids.
None of which addresses the fundamental question of transparency. If the mapper hiring was on the up-and-up and totally above board, what’s to hide?
Why not answer questions? Why not … gasp … do the public’s business in the open?
The fact is that Cabell County government is not used to scrutiny and they aren’t accustomed to answering for their actions. That perfect journey for them has ended.
I personally and this news outlet are dedicated to the public’s right to know. And as long as we have a voice, the public will know what their officials are doing.
* * * * * *
Rumors that former Logan Delegate Ralph Rodighiero was in serious legal jeopardy now say that he has escaped any criminal charges related to election law violations.
The word now goes that Rodighiero, a Democrat, has been cleared and is eyeing a run for Logan County Commissioner in 2022.
The stories regarding his alleged troubles were so convoluted as to be pretty unbelievable to begin with. Stories that spilled out about the alleged “investigation” caused more head shaking than anything else.
Rodighiero served in the House of Delegates on two separate occasions. In 2020, he ran for State Senate, losing to Republican Rupie Phillips.
Several Rodighiero friends said he called them last week with the good news and soliciting their support for commissioner.
* * * * * *
Spotted on social media: whether real or fake, a “Joe Manchin for President” billboard in Texas.
Appearing on social media, it would not, of course, be fake so the Manchin campaign may be well underway.
As I’ve mentioned here repeatedly, there’s no more astute politician than Manchin. He has taken West Virginia’s basket of lemons and turned them into lemonade, at least so far as his and the state’s political profile is concerned.
There’s no doubt Manchin made a national hero of himself to those who opposed President Biden’s Build Back Better legislation.
By sticking to his guns, as I told one and all he would, Manchin thwarted what many considered disastrous legislation.
It was a position that, once he announced it, he couldn’t back up on.
Meanwhile, nationally, pundits think former First Lady Hillary Clinton is offering veiled criticism of Biden to position herself as an alternative to him in 2024.
Biden is hugely unpopular here but the wrath directed toward Clinton knows no bounds. She’ll never be an alternative to him in West Virginia.
Ron Gregory is a regular political columnist and reporter at lootpress.com. Contact him at 304-533-5185; ronjgregory@gmail.com; or P.O. Box 20297; Charleston, WV 25362. All communication is confidential.